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UN System Documentation

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez speaks behind a podium at a press event, 1 February 2024. https://www.flickr.com/photos/imo-un/53502865840/

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International Maritime Organization (IMO)

  • Established as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) in 1948; became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1959; renamed International Maritime Organization in 1982.
  • Relationship Agreement with the UN (1959)
  • Governing Bodies
    • IMO Assembly
      • All IMO Member States
      • Meets every two years
    • IMO Council
      • 40 members
  • Legal texts
  • Maritime Knowledge Centre
  • IMODOCS
  • Secretaries-General
    • 2024-: Arsenio Dominguez (Panama)
    • 2016-2023 : Kitack Lim (Republic of Korea) (Press release SG/SM/17510-SAG/477)
    • 2012-2015: Koji Sekimizu (Japan)
    • 2004-2011: Efthimios Mitropoulos (Greece)
    • 1990- 2003: William A. O'Neil (Canada)
    • 1974-1989: Chandrika Prasad Srivastava (India)
    • 1968-1973: Colin Goad (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
    • 1964-1967: Jean Roullier (France)
    • 1961-1963: William Graham (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) (acting)
    • 1959-1961: Ove Nielsen (Denmark)